What You Put In Your Suitcase Affects What You Get Out Of Your

Vacation

The whole idea that I would be writing about packing is pretty funny to anyone who knows me, since I`m the world`s ranking exponent of whatever is the opposite of packing light.

I not only take more clothing than I would need for a year, but I also have been known to consider packing the sofa simply to have a comfortable place to sit down overseas.

In my defense, I offer the necessity to complete my roamings and research regardless of the weather; so having clothes to wear if conditions are cold or hot, wet or dry is a logistical necessity. Having said that, however, I can hear my wife quietly chuckling in the background, trying to suppress the desire to ask, ``Do you really think you`ll need those ski boots in the Caribbean in July?``

For less compulsive travelers the goal is merely to remain comfortable, neat, clean and adequately fashionable wherever you go, while packing as little as possible.

The main obstacle to achieving this is habit: Most of us wake up each morning with an entire wardrobe hanging in our closets, and we assume that our suitcases should offer the same variety and selection. Not so. Only unreasoning anxiety about being caught short makes us treat a suitcase like a mobile closet, and you can eliminate even that anxiety (and learn to travel lightly) by following two firm packing principles:

1. Organize your travel wardrobe around a single color--blue or brown, for example--that allows you to mix and match clothes. Holding firm to a single color scheme will make it easy to eliminate items of clothing that don`t harmonize. Pick clothes for their adaptability and compatibility with your basic color; you will put together a wardrobe with the widest variety using the fewest pieces of clothing.

2. Use laundries while traveling to renew your wardrobe. Never overpack to ensure a supply of fresh clothing--shirts, blouses, underwear--for each day of a long trip. Businesspeople routinely use hotel laundries to wash and clean clothes, and if these prove too expensive, there are plenty of self-service laundromats in most towns.

The real determinant of what to pack for a trip is where and when you are going. Any state, local or international tourism bureau will gladly provide general guidelines, though this hardly means they will be 100 percent accurate.

Such general observations serve to tell you that in all probability your current wardrobe contains everything you will need for a trip most anywhere.

The key to meeting a variety of weather and climate changes and still traveling light is the ``layered look.`` In terms of travel, it means a shirt on top of a T-shirt, with possibly a couple of sweaters on top of both, topped off by a jacket or a windbreaker over all.

The idea of layering is to permit you to stay warm while allowing you to strip off layers in response to temperature changes. It is also adapted to the principle of dressing according to a single color scheme. Individual items in layers can mix and match, be used together or independently.

As to fashion, be guided by your own taste. Few destinations are any more formal than North America, and whatever makes you feel comfortable probably will be accepted. Certainly the lucky person attending an opening night at Milan`s La Scala opera house should be wearing formal attire, but on any other night he`ll be perfectly comfortable and acceptable in a jacket, tie and trousers. (Students, however, have been attending opera for years in blue jeans; so don`t make yourself crazy.)

A blazer, trousers and tie also will get a man into the finest restaurants in any city in any country. Of course, there will be diners at other tables more formally dressed, but you won`t be turned away or made to feel self-conscious.

If you`ll be touring several countries, select clothing on the basis of what can serve the greatest number of functions. Coordinates are an easy way for a woman to vary her wardrobe without adding to luggage content. For a man, one dark suit will suffice when coupled with sport jackets and several pairs of slacks. Synthetics are immensely practical for this type of trip. Added musts for men and women alike are a sweater and walking shoes.

A recommended packing procedure is the so-called layering method, designed to get everything in and out of a bag with as few wrinkles as possible. Heavy items go on the bottom and sides, and corners are stuffed with such articles as socks, underwear, shoes, handbags and bathing suits.

Then layer on the more easily wrinkled items, such as shirts and slacks, dresses and skirts, even jackets. Pack them with as few folds as possible. On the top layer put the immediate needs, such as sleepwear, sweater, raincoat and the like.

Interweave each layer of clothes with plastic cleaning bags, which will help preserve pressed clothes while they are in the suitcase.

Unpack your bags as soon as you get to a hotel. Nothing destroys clean and pressed clothes faster than sitting in a suitcase for days. Finally, if something is badly wrinkled and can`t be professionally pressed before you must wear it, hang it overnight in a bathroom where the bathtub has been filled with very hot water; keep the bathroom door closed so the room will fill with steam. It really works miracles.

Try to select toiletries and cosmetics that come in plastic containers. Bottled liquids should be placed in plastic bags. If traveling overnight, put a few necessary toiletry items in a purse, a shoulder bag or some other small, easily carried case.

Add an empty airline bag to your suitcase; you`ll find it handy for overnight trips, beach outings or for carrying purchases home. Don`t ever put necessities such as prescription medicine, travel documents, cash or credit cards in checked luggage; keep them in a piece of hand luggage that you carry with you.